Sydney community organisations come together for Kol Nidre appeal
In a communal gathering of hearts and minds, the NSW Board of Jewish Education (BJE), in collaboration with JCA, will be diverting funds from their annual Kol Nidre Appeal to support COA Sydney.
COA reported that the need for Kosher Meals on Wheels has increased dramatically in the past 18 months. In 2020 the organisation was delivering 2191 meals a month. This increased to 4285 in January 2021 and then surged to 7709 in the current lockdown.
‘BJE recognises that this has been a year like we have never experienced and there are many in our community who have been and continue to struggle. With this in mind, we are diverting all funds raised during the KNA will go to the COA to support their Kosher Meals on Wheels program’, said Tahlia Gordon, President of BJE.
With the organisation currently undergoing a revival in its delivery of Jewish education, an exciting future awaits those who will experience their programs and services. “Our raison d’être is to support the thriving communities of children and their families at non-Jewish schools living in diverse areas across Sydney and NSW. We offer an inclusive, contemporary approach to Judaism that provides a meaningful and inspiring Jewish journey from Year K through Year 12 that combines an experiential learning curriculum and learning about Israel that culminates in the BJE Israel Program (pre-COVID). We also create opportunities for them to engage with Jewish life, culture and tradition that enables our students to connect with and be proud of their Jewish identity.” Tahlia continued.
Supported by JCA, the Kol Nidre Appeal will go out community-wide to donors that regularly support BJE’s KNA Appeal as well as donors that support JCA and COA.
“We are overwhelmed by the generosity of spirit that has been demonstrated by the leadership of BJE,” said Alain Hasson, CEO of JCA.
“This is what JCA is all about – communal organisations working collaboratively and looking after those in our community that need help most. While the BJE Kol Nidre Appeal has been running for 110 years, I am truly heartened by BJE’s foresight in recognising that this year it was more important for another communal organisation to benefit from the annual Kol Nidre Appeal,” he continued.
At COA on the wall in their community activity hall there’s a graphic of their volunteers and supporters that reads “COA Heroes Don’t Wear Capes”. “When we got the call from JCA that BJE were giving up their appeal for us in this time of need I was overwhelmed with gratitude. They are heroes in our eyes for giving us this opportunity. Our staff and volunteers are working tirelessly to cope with the current demand to ensure that some of the most vulnerable members of our community have enough food and are taken care of. Increased funding will alleviate some of the stress we are all experiencing. Thank you to everyone at BJE and JCA for making this possible,” concluded Rachel Tanny, CEO of COA.
The community is encouraged to support this urgent appeal – donations can be made at www.jca.org.au/kna – funds raised will go to support COA’s Meals on Wheels program that is experiencing increased demand and need across the community at this challenging and difficult time.
